Joyce Silverthorne on Language (Native Voices) | Native Students

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Joyce Silverthorne on Language

Spring 2004

Language is an important vehicle of culture. Everything we know and say and do is learned through the symbol system of language. It only has meaning if we all understand the same thing.

All across the country, I have asked Native Americans of many tribes, "Do you have a word for 'I'm sorry?'" I have yet to find a word for it in any Native American language. We only invent words that we need. If your way of life doesn't allow you to wrong others, you don't need a word for that.

You can tell a lot about a culture by the words you do and do not invent. Immersion programs and classroom instruction cannot be the only way of revitalizing a language. It depends on people throughout the community who recognize the need to keep the language alive. What should they do? Use the language. We have a writing system: Use it in signs, labels. I'm looking around my room right now. Why haven't I done that?

Joyce Silverthorne is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes and a student of the language. She is education director for the tribe and has been a member of the Montana Board of Public Education for 10 years. She serves as a member of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory's advisory committee on math and science.